Living with chronic pain,neck surgery,severe back pain!!!!

I  had back surgery in 2004. They operated on C2 through T1. They did laminectomies on C5, C6, levels. I still have a lot of pain to live with. I have aggressive osteo-arthritis and now have a large spur on the right side of C1 and a modreate spur on the left side of C1. I also have trouble in the thoracic spine and the lumbar spine. I have a lot of pain in the lumbar area. For the past 4 months I have horrible pan in my left ankle when I try to walk. I didn't have any feeling in my left leg until June of this year. I talked to my pain management doctor and he said that he can't do much more to help me and I will probably have to have more spinal surgery. I love to go out and take photos of nature. I just can't do it anymore. I still try but I pay for it the day after I was out. I also have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I don't know what is causing the pain in my ankle but I hope someone will find out for me. I cannot work. I have bad problems with sleep. Sometimes I can't fall asleep until 7am and I am sleepy all day long. I can't even open a bottle of Gatorade! I have to sit on a counter stool to cook. I can't do housework like running the sweeper or dusting. Even loading the dishwasher gives me major spasms. I have front loading washer and dryer which is great. I don't have to stretch reaching down like the regular washer. I do the laundry but folding large items I have to have help. My in-laws don't believe I have pain. They can't understand why I would still have pain after surgery. It really makes things more difficult when people don't understand your condition. I have a Hoveround but when I have to go somewhere in the van I can't take the Hoveround with me. Insurance will cover the Hoveround but they will not pay for a lift or ramp so I can take it with me. It is great for getting around the house or our yard!
Relationships are more difficult. My husband is supportive but it took a while until he actually understood the extent of my pain. My relationship with my in-laws is practically non existant. My sister and daughter understand. My sister has back issues also. My daughter understands and at the age of 29 she also has back issues. She as herniated discs and osteo-arthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome.

My surgery was a very big surprise.I never complained of neck hurting me.My surgery was my C6-7 this is what they found. the study shows disc desiccation at this level.There is a broad-based protruding disc which totally effaces the thecal sac and causes a reduction in the AP dimension of the spinal cord at this level. This represents severe aquired spinal canal stenosis. The left neural foramen is slightly narrowed from osteophytes Now!  I had a myelogram in 2008 at Parkland Hospital in Dallas Tx. I keep getting sharp burning pain on my arms ,legs,all down my back,I swell up alot when I try to do anything,Driving hurts alot!This is what they found on my myelogram;C3-4 level shows very minimal central disc bulge..C4-5.shows a central disc herniation which indents the thecal sac with residual sac diameter 9mm..C5-6. minimal degenerative changes.. T8-9. a small central disc herniation without cord compression is seen minimal indenting the thecal sac,degenerative disc disease with herniation..T9-10.right posterior and lateral disc osteophyte complex is seen ,somewhat narrowing the right neural foramina without significant cord compression,degenerative disc disease with herniation..L4-5 shows a central and right foraminal disc herniation indenting the thecal sac  and right exiting nerve root.This causes moderate central stenosis with residual canal diameter of 7mm,degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine causes moderate central canal stenosis..L5-S1 degenerative disc disease with loss of disc height and vacuum phenomenon is evident with likely  annular tear and fissure with air seen in the epidural space.This likely resents annular tear with disc herniation adjacent to the left exiting nerve for this level.And now 3 neurosurgeouns said there is nothing they can do for me. Now I don't know what to do ,it's very painfull having the pain and now that no one can help me,it gets very depressing,now I know what people with chronic pain go thru and it gets to you to where you do wonder about suicide,it really does!!I'm only 48yrs old!But we must all have Faith!!   Stay Strong! Believe!!  I've started to get involved in childrens rights.I did Lobby for a new Law,in behalf of a 4yr old little  beautiful girl .She now has her new Law in her name. The Janie Lynn DeLaPaz Act(Bill 176)is a new Law in the State of Texas.Careing for childrens safety and well being is everyones concern.                           May Our Lord Above Be With Us All...                             P.S.A.

I also understand were you are coming from, I was born with kyphosis, had spinal fusiono and instrumentation, at T11 to L1, I have since had herniated disc at L5, have severe hip and right leg pain and my right side of my back is so  very painfull. I was also diagnosed with osteoarthritis and am waiting results of bone scan. I have three children and its very hard because I cant do many things even every day chores, I havent been able to work for almost 2 yrs now and my pain is increasing, I have tried precriptions, hyro water therapy, injections, chiropratic, and nothing has made my pain any better.